Backlash against data centers has become a pivotal issue in the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, with candidates across party lines reevaluating their stances as voters in at least 36 cities and counties push ballot measures to restrict or ban the facilities.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, once a proponent of data center tax breaks, paused new incentives in July after public pressure. In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El Sayed made data center regulations a central part of his Senate campaign, while Georgia’s governor’s race features a Democrat advocating a pause on developments against a Republican opponent who supports them. Ohio Senator John Husted, a Republican, has softened his position on data centers amid polls showing majority opposition, while his Democratic challenger, Sherrod Brown, has criticized Husted as the face of data centers.
Political Shifts in Key States
Texas, home to nearly 300 operational data centers and 170 under development, saw Governor Greg Abbott—once a vocal advocate for the industry—backtrack on his support. Safety and quality of life
concerns led to a pause on new permits, according to the BBC. Meanwhile, Democrat James Talarico’s campaign in Texas is targeting sweetheart tax deals
for Big Tech, positioning himself as a challenger to Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton, however, maintains that plenty of open space in Texas
remains available for data centers.
Activist Movements and Grassroots Opposition
Activists across the U.S. have criticized both parties for offering tax breaks to data center developers, with some accusing officials of negotiating deals behind closed doors. The politicians are chasing the grassroots, they aren’t leading on the issue,
said Anthony Elmo of Good Jobs First. Ohio, which has 154 operational data centers and 84 under construction, has become a focal point. Nick Owens, a Conserve Ohio attorney, noted that the state’s minimal regulatory framework
and plentiful farmland
initially attracted tech companies, but opposition has grown as communities push for ballot measures to restrict the facilities.
Ohio municipalities will vote on 21 ballot measures related to data centers, including initiatives to ban them or require voter approval. Similar efforts are underway in Kansas, where Ottawa residents have resisted a planned facility.
Industry Responses and Campaigns
Candidates opposing data centers face political challenges, as seen in Ohio where U.S. Senator John Husted’s campaign faces opposition. The National Republican Senatorial Committee warned that data centers could “damage” Republican candidates, urging a reframe of messaging. Meanwhile, Tatishe Nteta, a political science professor at UMass Amherst, noted that the issue has brought together Americans in ways we don’t usually see,
with voters from both parties united against the infrastructure.
Unresolved Questions and Future Implications
As the elections approach, the outcome of ballot measures in Ohio and Kansas will determine the political situation.
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